The R. Woolf Rubber Factory in Southall, West London, holds a significant place in the history of the early Punjabi settlers in Britain. Indian migrant workers faced harsh and exploitative working conditions, enduring long hours of strenuous labour while receiving lower wages than their white colleagues for similar jobs. Many of these workers were not proficient in English, making it difficult to organise or voice their grievances effectively. Any individual protests often led to dismissals, reinforcing a climate of fear and oppression.
Union Recognition and Continued Struggles
It was not until 1964 that workers at the factory were formally granted the right to join a union. However, despite this recognition, management continued to engage in anti-union practices, leading to multiple unofficial walkouts. Unfortunately, many migrant workers were hesitant to join the union, and the union itself did little to actively recruit or advocate for their rights.
As the Asian workforce grew, so did the blatant exploitation of migrant workers. They began to demand fundamental rights such as tea breaks, fair wages, a ban on compulsory overtime, and safer working conditions. The workers started organising themselves, putting forward collective demands, and staging several protests.
The Leading Role of IWA Southall
The Indian Workers Association (IWA) Southall played a decisive and instrumental role in this struggle. Recognising the urgent need to protect and empower Asian workers, IWA Southall took the lead in mobilising the workforce, offering guidance, and spearheading a campaign to unionise migrant workers. With its unwavering support and leadership, the movement gained momentum, ensuring that workers’ voices were heard and their rights were defended.
As tensions rose and the possibility of a large-scale strike loomed, key organisers, with the full backing of IWA Southall, launched a successful campaign that resulted in approximately 452 Indian workers joining the Transport & General Workers’ Union (TGWU) within a short period. This mobilisation was a significant achievement in uniting and strengthening the collective power of the workers.
The 1965 Strike: A Turning Point
In November 1965, 600 Asian workers, emboldened by IWA Southall’s leadership and guidance, went on strike to demand safer working conditions. The strike lasted for seven weeks. However, despite the Indian workers being members of the TGWU, the union did not immediately declare the strike official. As a result, the striking workers were initially denied strike pay, and the union failed to implement measures such as boycotting goods produced at the factory.
Throughout this period, IWA Southall remained at the forefront, providing crucial support to the workers, organising community solidarity, and ensuring that the strike maintained its strength and resolve. The association played a key role in coordinating efforts, negotiating on behalf of the workers, and amplifying their demands to the wider public and trade unions.
Management’s Attempt to Break the Strike and the Workers’ Unity
In an effort to break the strike, factory management attempted to exploit national divisions by recruiting Pakistani workers from Bradford and other northern towns. This strategy was intended to create discord between Indian and Pakistani workers. However, IWA Southall played a vital role in countering these divisive tactics, working tirelessly to foster unity among all migrant workers. The management’s divide-and-rule strategy ultimately failed, as both communities stood together in their fight against exploitation.
A Landmark Victory for Workers’ Rights
The R. Woolf Rubber Factory strike was a turning point in the history of Southall’s Asian community. It marked the beginning of a movement where Asian workers actively joined and participated in trade unions to fight against discrimination both within workplaces and within the trade union movement itself.
IWA Southall played a crucial role not only in this strike but also in shaping the broader struggle for workers’ rights. By nurturing and supporting these activists, the association ensured that the fight for migrant workers’ rights extended beyond this single event. This historic strike laid the foundation for future campaigns, driving the trade union movement to become more responsive and accountable to the needs of migrant workers.
The legacy of this strike remains a testament to the power of worker solidarity and the unwavering commitment of IWA Southall to fighting for justice, equality, and the rights of all workers.